WEO Position Statement on Telementoring in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Telemedicine is a broad term that encompasses all aspects of utilizing information and communication technologies to provide health services at distant sites. The primary goal of telementoring is the education and training of gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopists particularly in areas where there is a shortage of endoscopy trainers. Telementoring in GI endoscopy can help to provide teaching and skills training both in simulator-based learning, and endoscopic skills training in the context of patient care. This position statement aims to outline the role of telementoring within GI endoscopy, offering a general model for the introduction and evaluation of a telementoring program that incorporates both simulators for junior trainees and skills training for practicing endoscopists. We hope to highlight its utility and implementation in remote locations. WEO recognizes that telementoring is valuable to expand access to high-quality endoscopy training especially in parts of the world where there is a shortage of endoscopy trainers and this document can serve as a guide in the planning and implementation of telementoring programs.